Sound collecting and transmitting



C. K. WOODBRIDGE SOUND COLLECTING AND TRANSMITTING May 31, 1927.1,630,367

Filed May 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl 6. I

//v v/v Ta R c/mm E5 K. woman/06E ATTORNEY y 1927' c. K. .WOODBRIDGESOUND CDLLECTING AND TRANSMITTING Filed May 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl6.5 [Ba f 36 I3 5 l5 i 5 2 I 57 N i I i l. H [/4 2) 30 I z ii i P J l i1 z 0-1) i i v v 1 ,.1 BY )0 I W ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1&27.

a s s e a Ulll CHARLES K. VTQQIDBBIDGE O? 5613K. N. 3 .1,

PORATION, 03. BRIDGEIORT, GGNNECTEEUT A ASSIGT QR 'lO DICTAPHONE COR-GILPQBATION OF NEW YORK.

SOUND CQLLECTING 1135i]? TTKZANSMXTTING.

Application filed This invention relates to sound-collectii andtransmitting means and in the ember. meet shown as illustrative ot theinvention, it is particularly adapted for use with dictating machines.

In the accompanying drawings. which show by way of example severalenibodimerits of this invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation. partly in section, of one form tsouinl-collector made in accordance with the present invention. showinga relative large horn-shaped soundcollecting portiou. and n'ieans forallowing); swiveling movement of same on the ban Fig. 2 is a sectionaldetail view show on an enlarged scale the connection between thesound-collecting portion and the handle.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the mouthpiece sho ing means for securingit to the body portion of the sound-collector.

Fig. t is a side view. partly in section. oil a modification of thedevice shown in 1, the mouthpiece and body portion ot' thesound-collector being merged into one piece and different means forsecuring the soundcollector to the handle being shown.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 4; of another modification ofthe present invention. the body of the sound-collector having Oprovision for pivotal movement in addition to provision for swivelingmovement.

As in the usual form of device now used upon dictating machines tocollect and transmit sound from the dictator to the recording mechanism,the speaking-tube is connccted in any suitable manner to a handle 11,having a hook-shape guard 12 which engages a part of the dictators hand.while the handle 11 is being held. and which sists the dictator inholding the handle. And. opposite the guard 12 on the handle 11 there isprovided a button 13 which is used to control the operation of themachine from the handle 11.

In sound-collectors heretofore provided for use in dictating machines.the mouthpiece was connected to the handle portion by a tube which wasbent so that. when held substantially vertical in front of theciictator, the mouthpiece would extend at a. angle from the handle inthe direction of the dictators mouth. lVhen held in this position. thecontrol button 13 was directly in front of the operator. while the guard12 Wasat the opposite side of the handle a May 253, 1924.

Serial No. 716,626.

position which it was necessary to maintain tain.sound-collectorsheretofore used there was very little concentration of sound energy,because oi. the fact that the mouth piece was small with relation to thediameter oi the conveying tube.

In another known form of sound-coltors. the mouthpiece and handleconstituted a relatively long horn which was made exceptionally wideatits receiving end and gradually tapered down through the handle thedimension of the speaking-tube nroper. This co: struction produced alarge ,acc between the lip of the mouthpiece d the speaking-tube properthe column air of which was set into vibration and t 'ed as a resonatorfor the sound passing through the horn. The resonating action of suchsound-collectors produced what is termed a tubby ellect. such as isparticin larly noticeable in connection with megaphones. Further, thehorn-chamber produced had the eltect of lowering the tunda mentalvibratory characteristics of the re cording diaphragm which,consequently, had a tendency to blast under the influence of the higherpitch sounds.

The disadvantages of both types of sound collectors. above referred to,so far as they relate to the quality and volume of the sound collectedand transmitted, are overcome by the present invention, the one bymaking the receiving end of the device larger so that more of the soundis collected, and the other, by making the sound-collector so that itssound-passage i relatively short and rapidly lecreasing incross-sectional area from the mouthpiece to the handle 11. This idea isembodied in the sound-collectors shown in Figs. 1 and 4-.

In the term shown in Fig. 1, the handle 11 has connected to it ahorn-shaped tube hereinafter called the horn 14;, between. it and themouthpiece 15, which rapidly decreases in crosssectional area as itapproaches the handle 11. llhe mouthpiece 15 flares out wardl v 'iromits point of connection to the horn 14- so as to present relativelylarge opening and collect a substantial portion of the sound emitted bythe dictator.

Since the total axial length of the mouthpiece 15 and the horn 14 isequal to only about twice the diameter of the mouthpiece piece acrossthe lip 16*.

at its lip 16, producing a sound-oollector which is relatively short inproportion to the diameter of its receiving end, there is no extensivechamber to act as a resonator of the incoming sound and change itsnatural. characteristics.

In the -form of device shown in Fig. 4, the mouthpiece 15 has a hornpart 14 formed integral with it to avoid obstructive overlapping jointsand to reduce the initial production costs. Since the part is usuallymace of glass, however, it is more liable to breakage than the deviceshown in Fig. 1 in which the mouthpiece l5 alone is made of glass. Asshown in Fig. 4 the mouthpiece lip 16 has substantially the samediameter as the lip 16 shown in Fig. 1, but the axial length from thelip to the handle 11 is about equal to the diameter of the month- Inthis case the sound-collector is shorter so that any tendency of thecolumn of air in the mouthpiece to resonate is reduced to a minimum,while the efficiency of the sound-collector is still relatively high.

In addition to providing the novel and advantageous shapes ofsound-collectors above referred to, the present invention pro videsmeans whereby the sound-receiving part of the collector may be adjustedto suit the convenience of thedictator. This is a very desirable I andadvantageous feature since it permits the angularly disposed lip of themouthpiece to be shifted so as to be directly in front of the dictatorwhen the handle with its guard 14 and control button 13 is held in aposition most convenient to the dictator.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the soundcollector is mounted to swivel onthe handle 1 so that the lip 16 of the mouthpiece may be moved byrotating the horn 14 about the axis of the handle 11. The horn 14 isprovided with a neck 17 which preferably telescopes with the end 18 ofthe handle 11, and it is about this end 18 that the horn 14 may berotated. To hold the neck 17 of the horn to the end 18 of the handleagainst accidental separation and yet allow free rotation of the horn 14upon the handle 11, a self-locking detent is provided between the twoparts. This is preferably in the form of a split spring-ring 19 (seeFig. 3), which fits within a circumferential groove 20 provided in theend 18 and a similar groove 21 provided in the neck 17, the arrangementbeing such that the springarinr 19 normally assumes a position where itsimultaneously engages both grooves. In assembling the device, thespring-ring 19 is placed within the groove 20- and then the end 18 isslid into the neck 17. At the time the end 18 engages a shoulder 22provided on the neck 17, the spring-ring; is opposite groove 21 andbecause of its resiliency,

springs outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 3. In this; position,the sprii'ig -ring engages the wall :23 of the groove 20 and an abruptcanrsurface 24 of the groove 21 and thus holds the parts againstseparating movements. To witlulraw the end 18 from the neck 17, it isnecessary to ram the springring 19 back into the groove and to do so, agreat deal of force is i'iecded because oi the abruptness of the camsuriface 24 which produces much friction between it and the spring. andthe latter and the abrupt surface 28 of the groove 20. Thus, the end 18is held in the neck 17 against accidental displacement.

In order to secure the sourul-collector in its adjusted position againstaccidental or undesired rotation upon the handle 11. there is provided aclamping nut 25 threaded in the neck 17 and one in the end 18. When itis desired to change the position of the sound-collectm'. the screw isreleased and the collector rotated about the tube.

In the form shown in Fig. 4, the mouthpiece 15" including thehoiinportion 14" is mounted for turning movement on the handle to beadjusted to a coi'iv-eniei'it position for the dictator, and for thispurpose, the mouthpiece is provided with a head 26 adapted tofrictionally engage a socket 27 on the handle 11 and comprising aplurality of resilient tongues 28 adapted to engage over the bead. Thesoclzet 27 has a neck 29 fixed in the handle 11. lVith this form ofdevice. it is merely necessary to rotate the mouthpiece in its socket 27to the desired position. the friction between the tongues 28 and thebead 26 being sufficient to hold the mouthpiece in adjusted position.

In Fig. 5. there is shown a modification of the present invention. Inthis form the mouthpiece is not only capable of swiveling movements uponthe handle to adjust it angularly about the axis of the handle withrelation to the guard 12 and the button 13, but is also capable ofpivotal movement to change its angular position with relation to theaxis of the handle.

For the former purpose. the mouthpiece is supported by a tube 80 whichis adapted to telescope over the end 18 of the handle 11*. which isprovided with a hollow head 31 adapted to receive the round-head of ascrew 32 threaded in the end 18 of the handle. The screw acts as a keyto hold the end 18 and the tube together. In assemblingthis device. thescrew 32 is passed through an opening 38 in the hollow head 31 and isfastened in place in the end 18". The clearance between the head of thescrew 32 and the walls of the groove 31 is sutlicient to allow freerotation of the tube while the screw-head prevents the tube 30 "frombein1 drawn off the end 18 A For the purpose of allowing the mouthill)ii t) piece 15 to be adjusted angularly with relation to the axis of thehandle 11", a tube 34 which carries the mouthpiece, is pivotally mountedon a rod 35 carried by the tube 30 at right angles to the axis or", thehandle 11 The tube 34 has arcuate portions 36 adapted to extend insideoi' and contact with a curved apron 37 carried by the tube so that inall positions of the tube 3%, the soinidpassage will be maintainedclosed by the arcuate portion 36 and the apron 37.

The mouthpiece l5" provided with a bead 38 engaging a plurality oi?resilienttongues integrally connected tiiigether and secured in a socket40 forming part oi the tube 3-1. In applying the mouthpiece to the tube3%, the head 38 is forced undn: the tongues 39 and is yieldingly held bytoo tongues against accidental displacement.

While in the terms shown in l igs. el and 5, the mouthpieces 15" and 15are resiliently held in placeby springmcans, it is usually preferablethat the mouthpiece be more see curely attached to the other parts. Oneadvantageous form oi such connect-ion is shown in Figs. 1. and in whichthe glass mouthpiece 15 is positively held in position on the horn 1-1by a cylindrical clampingring 41. The mouthpiece 15 engages the end 4-2of the horn 14 while the cylindrical clamping member -11, which isthreaded in the mouthpiece, has flange 4:3 engaging a shoulder 44 on themouthpiece. lVhen the clamp 41. is screwed into the end of the horn let,it securely holds the mouthpiece in the position shown in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of facilitating the adjustment of the clamping-ring l1,it is provided with notches 45 adapted to be engaged by lugs -l-6provided on the mouthpiece. In applying the mouthpiece 15 to the horn1d, the clamp All is first dropped into the mouthpiece 15 so that itsnotches 4:! are engaged by the lugs 46 of the mouthpiece, and then thelatter is rotated until the end of the clamp 41 is screwed tightly inplace on the horn l4.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention, and portions of the in'iprovements may be used withoutothers.

lVhile all of the en'lbodin'ients of the present invention shown hereinare covered generically by the appended claims, the species claims forthe en'ibodiments oi the invention shown in Figs. 4t and 5 are notcontained in this application, but are presented respectively in myco-pending application, 9. N. 150,578, filed November 24, 1926, and S.N. 185.570, filed April 21, 1927, both divisions of this application.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new and for whichit is desired to obtain Letters Patent, is:

1. A sound-receiving device comprising a tion thereto:

handle portion and an outwardly flaring mouthpiece portion, and meansfor adjustably connecting the handle portion and the mouthpiece portionto allow rotary movement oi one relative to the other.

.i sonin -rccciring device comprising a liainllc per i z asonnd-rccciring portion flaring oinwardlv 'il'fl il the handle portionand connected to the handle portion, and adapted to be angnlarly ad'insted with rclaand a mouthpiece portion do taciiabl connected to theoutwardly [hiring soinio-rccciving port. n and coe:-;tensive therewith.

In combination. a hand-held soundconveyor: a SOlIlHl-(flill(tt0l havingits mouth disposed in a p ane at an angle to the plane of the a xis inwhich the souiul-conveyor lies when connected to the latter: a swivel cn ncction between the sonnd-conveyor and thc soniwl-collcctor; ano moanstor holding said SOHRMl-(OHYQYfiL and sinnnl-collector against relativeniovcnicnt abo: i said swivel connection.

in combination. a handheld sound-con- \cyor: a mouthpiece: a horn-shapedpart hetweon the icontlhpiecc and the sound-conveyor: means torconnecting the nionth 'iiecc to the horn-shaped part: and a self lockingconnection for coi'inecting the horn-shaped part to the sound-conveyor.

In combination, a hand-held seundconveyor; a. curved sound-collector;and means for interconnecting the sound-collector and thesouniihconveyor, said means allowing rotation of the one part relativeto the other and preventing longitudinal movement of the one partrelative to the other.

6.111 combination, a cylindrical, handheld, sound-conveyor; an outwardlyflaring horn detachahly connected to the sound-conveyor; and a flaringn'iouthpiece detachably connected to the flaring horn.

7. In combination, a. hand-held sound-conveyor; a sound-collector, saidsound-collector and sound-conveyor having an overlapping connection witheach other and each having circumferential grooves substantially alignedwith each other, when in predetermined overlagped condition, andyieldablc means adapted to simultaneously engage both grooves toremovably hold the sound collector and the sound-conveyor together.

8. In combination, a pair of sound-passages having a telescopingconnection with each other at their adjacent ends and having cooperatingcircumferential grooves which are substantially aligned. when the twoparts are in predetermined positions; and yieldable means adapted tosimultaneously engage both grooves to removably hold the parts together.

9. In combination, a pair of sound-passages having a telescopingconnection at their adjacent ends; and means entirely ill) concealedwithin the telescoping connection, for rotatably holding the two partstogether.

10. In combination, a pair oil sound-passages having a telescopingconnection with each other at their adjacent ends, and hav ing on thecontacting walls of the telescoping connection, aligi'iing grooves; andyield able means adapted to simultaneously' engage said grooves to holdthe parts removably connected together.

11. In con'il'iination, a somid-conveyor ha ving a sulist-antially vuniform diameter throughout its length; a sound-collecting hornremovably attached to the receiving end oi the conveyor; and amouthpiece removahly attached to the horn, the horn and mouthpiece beingtapered and having coextensive internal surfaces.

12. In combination, a hand-held scum.- conveyor; a sound-collectorhaving its mouthdisposed in a plane at an angle to the plane of the axisof the sound-conveyor; hand-engaging parts on the handheldsound-conveyor; and a swivel connection between the sound-conveyor andthe soundcollector whereby adjustment of the angularly disposed mouth ofthe se-uml-collector may be effected relative to the hand-engaging partson the sound-conveyor and about the axis of the latter.

13. A sound-receiving device comprising a handle portion; a mouthpieceportion; means for adjustably connecting the handle portion and themouthpiece portion to allow moven'ient'of the one relative to the other;and means for holding said mouthpiece portion against unintentionalmovement.

It. A sound-receiving device comprising a nindle portion; a n'iouthpieeeportion; means tor adjustably connecting the handle portion and themouthpiece portion to allow movmnent of the one relative to the other;and means -tor positively locking said monthpiece portion agaiz'istmovement relative to said handle portion.

15. A souml-receiving device con'iprising a tubular handle portion; atubular monthpieec portion telescoping with the handle portion; and aset-screw in one of said portions and engaging the other of said portionto prevent movement of the one portion relative to the other portion.

16. In combination, a hand-held soundcenveyer; a sound-collector havingits mouth disposed in a plane at an angle to the plane (it the axis inwhich the soundconveyor lies; manually operable means on the hand-heldsound-conveyor; and a swivel connection between the sound-conveyor andthe sound-collector whereby adjustment of the angular-1y disposed mouthof the soundcollector may be effected relative to the manually operablemeans on the sound-conveyor and about the axis of the latter.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of l airlield, and State ofConnecticut, this 26th day of May, 1924.

CHARLES K. IVOODBRIDGE.

